A Realistic View of the 2025 Red Sox: Part I

[notin]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Particulars?

I added one upon edit.

Of course we also saw Christian Vazquez play 1b in a World Series game, too…

[Bellhorn04]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

I added one upon edit.

Of course we also saw Christian Vazquez play 1b in a World Series game, too…

Yes, he was moved to 1B in the 12th inning of an 18 inning game.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

37 minutes ago, notin said:

Before coming to Boston, Romy’s entire career as a first baseman consisted of 14 games in A ball and 3 games in college.  Last year when people kept insisting Dalbec had to make the team because he was the ONLY backup first baseman, I kept saying they’ll just try someone else.  They did - Romy.   But now his 20 games at 1b (which is NOT second behind Casas on this roster - Refsnyder has more) makes him indispensable

? According to bb-ref, Refsnyder played zero games at first base last year. The "regular" first baseman listed was Dom Smith, with Enmanuel Valdez at second base, Ceddanne Rafaela at shortstop and Tyler O'Neill in leftfield.

But don't worry -- Breslow has upgraded by cornering the market on back-up catchers and pitchers with Tommy John Surgery.

[notin]

25 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Yes, he was moved to 1B in the 12th inning of an 18 inning game.

<Sigh> It wasn’t his first time there. 
 

Are you turning this into a “defense of Cora at all costs” thing?  Because  Cora does do this, and it was brought up in response to a “Romy has to make the team because he’s the only backup 1b.”  Apparently fans expect MLB benches to always have experienced back up at 8 positions with their 4 players they carry.

Cora does play people out of position all the time.  Sometimes it works out - sometimes not.  Does he overdo it?  Occasionally.  Brock Holt, for all his versatility, want a good defender in 6 or 7 of the positions he played in Boston.  But sometimes it’s great.  No one gave Kike the CF time Cora did, and it was worth it.

And usually it’s a few innings here or there.  He’s not like Dave Roberts, fighting mightily by carving out misplaced lineups from the pristine roster he’s been handed, determined to find a way to bring the Dodgers down from within.  It’s the only thing that makes sense with Robert’s…

[notin]

16 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

? According to bb-ref, Refsnyder played zero games at first base last year. The "regular" first baseman listed was Dom Smith, with Enmanuel Valdez at second base, Ceddanne Rafaela at shortstop and Tyler O'Neill in leftfield.

But don't worry -- Breslow has upgraded by cornering the market on back-up catchers and pitchers with Tommy John Surgery.

Refsnyder has 37 games at 1b in his MLB career.  Romy has 20, all of them last year.  Before that, he hadn’t played 1b since A ball, and even then it was 14 games.

If Romy got DFAd (unlikely, at least early on), Refsnyder could be the all important backup 1b, and take over the role with more experience than Romy had when he took over the role…

[Randy Red Sox]

19 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Ro-BOUT time!

i am against robot umpires. I am against AI in general. pretty soon there will be nobody working. Those AI chat phone assistants are useless too.

[Bellhorn04]

45 minutes ago, notin said:

<Sigh> It wasn’t his first time there. 
 

Are you turning this into a “defense of Cora at all costs” thing?

I stated a simple fact, and you're making totally unfounded assumptions, trying to push me into the position you want me to have, so you can argue from the opposite position.  Classic straw man.  Nothing new for you.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

42 minutes ago, notin said:

Refsnyder has 37 games at 1b in his MLB career.  Romy has 20, all of them last year.  Before that, he hadn’t played 1b since A ball, and even then it was 14 games.

If Romy got DFAd (unlikely, at least early on), Refsnyder could be the all important backup 1b, and take over the role with more experience than Romy had when he took over the role…

I'm not defending Romy -- he's not my new binky like he is with the Red Sox -- but who you should expect to want to keep him around just to show how smaht they are, after digging him out of a bin at a flea market when he was cut by the worst team in big league history.

[notin]

17 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I stated a simple fact, and you're making totally unfounded assumptions, trying to push me into the position you want me to have, so you can argue from the opposite position.  Classic straw man.  Nothing new for you.

No.  I responded to a whole thing about Romy being the backup 1b as being so vital and cited Cora’s history for playing players out of position, and he will eventually find someone to backup 1b, just like before. I cited numerous examples of players Cora has thrown around the diamond.  I did add one that involved a WS game more so to show the importance of the game is a non-factor;  that was the only one you chose to defend, and did so condescendingly….

[notin]

6 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I'm not defending Romy -- he's not my new binky like he is with the Red Sox -- but who you should expect to want to keep him around just to show how smaht they are, after digging him out of a bin at a flea market when he was cut by the worst team in big league history.

Romy will make the team as long as Kristian Campbell doesn’t.  Or if they the Sox sign Bregman.  Doubtful they demote Hamilton, since he makes for a great ghost runner.
 

If they add an OF like Grichuk, it hurts Romy as well.  But I think that’s a long shot st this point

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, notin said:

Grissom is 24.  He’s only making the parent club if there is a clear path to playing time.  I don’t think he’s competing for a bench spot with Romy Gonzalez.

If you think SS defense is an important aspect to Cora, please explain why he couldn’t remove Kike from the position with vice grips and a hand grenade…

I am only giving my opinions and not trying to project what Cora and Brez will decide.

Unless something changes drastically in ST'ing, I'd like to see us start the season with DHam at 2B vs RHPs and Romy vs LHPs, with whoever is not starting being the IF utility guy. I'd be okay with Grissom over Romy, but I am not sure he can outhit Romy, and I am certain he is not a better defender at 2B, SS and maybe 3B. Plus, Romy can play 1B. Yes, so can Ref, but they never tried Ref in 2024, most likely for good reason.

I'm not sure why defense does not seem to be an urgent issue for Cora (and maybe Brez, too.)  Cora was a more glove than bat player, so it is kind of surprising. I fully understand the position on not making radical position changes for gains on defense, if it upsets players or hurts the offense.

I can't for the life of me figure out why he kept playing Kike at SS. Maybe he fully believed he was a plus defender, who was just going through a funk. He also stuck with E Valdez, Reyes and Grissom at 2B in 2024, for a long time. E Valdez ended up leading the team in 2B innings, despite being god-awful on D.

Innings at 2B:

468 Valdez

435 Grissom+Wesstbrook, Reyes, Gasper & Wong

267 DHam (played good D aat 2B in 2024.)

130 Romy (decent defense)

147 Sogard, Rafaela & Short (decent defenders)

While Rafaela did okay on SS defense, he wasn't a plus, and he played way more innings than anyone else at SS:

647 Rafaela (not real bad)

433 DHam (Bad at SS D)

228 Story (end of season plus D)

80 Romy (looked okay, to me)

51 Sogard and 14 Reyes

[moonslav59]

47 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

i am against robot umpires. I am against AI in general. pretty soon there will be nobody working. Those AI chat phone assistants are useless too.

There will still be an ump behind the plate.

Let's get consistency into the game. YES to ROBO-UMPS!

[moonslav59]

30 minutes ago, notin said:

Romy will make the team as long as Kristian Campbell doesn’t.  Or if they the Sox sign Bregman.  Doubtful they demote Hamilton, since he makes for a great ghost runner.
 

If they add an OF like Grichuk, it hurts Romy as well.  But I think that’s a long shot st this point

I will not be surprised, if Romy begins the year in AAA. Besides DHam, Campbell or the possible addition of Bregman or Grichuk is Romy's biggest 2 obstacles:

1. Rafaela's ability to play SS and 2B makes the need for Romy's better SS defense than Grissom and DHam not so important.

2. Grissom has a lot invested in him, so if it is a close call between he and Romy, they may choose to give Grissom the chance. I do think they want VG playing FT, so maybe they start him in AAA, so he can play everyday. No way I start Grissom over DHam vs RHPs.

To me, Romy's superior defense at SS outweighs his ability to play 1B. Yes, Ref may be able to play 1B, in a pinch, but we had a massive pinch at 1B, last year, and Ref never played even an inning, there. The last bench spot is not going to be Ref. With our lack of RHBs, Ref will make the club, and I doubt he plays 1B, at all.

Romy makes for a nice short term solution as a back-up SS. Rafaela could do it, too, so it's not a must have, but Romy is more of a utility guy than Grissom. With 2 DH only players on the roster, flexibility has more value on a team like Boston.

BTW, reports say the Sox won't go past 4 years on Bregman.

[notin]

27 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I will not be surprised, if Romy begins the year in AAA. Besides DHam, Campbell or the possible addition of Bregman or Grichuk is Romy's biggest 2 obstacles:

1. Rafaela's ability to play SS and 2B makes the need for Romy's better SS defense than Grissom and DHam not so important.

2. Grissom has a lot invested in him, so if it is a close call between he and Romy, they may choose to give Grissom the chance. I do think they want VG playing FT, so maybe they start him in AAA, so he can play everyday. No way I start Grissom over DHam vs RHPs.

To me, Romy's superior defense at SS outweighs his ability to play 1B. Yes, Ref may be able to play 1B, in a pinch, but we had a massive pinch at 1B, last year, and Ref never played even an inning, there. The last bench spot is not going to be Ref. With our lack of RHBs, Ref will make the club, and I doubt he plays 1B, at all.

Romy makes for a nice short term solution as a back-up SS. Rafaela could do it, too, so it's not a must have, but Romy is more of a utility guy than Grissom. With 2 DH only players on the roster, flexibility has more value on a team like Boston.

BTW, reports say the Sox won't go past 4 years on Bregman.

Two DH only players?

Yoshida is unlikely to see the field much, but I think everyone else will at some point.  Refsnyder is a lousy outfielder, but the Sox only have 6 outfielders on the 40 man, and to get that many, you have to count both Yoshida and Jhostnyxon Garcia.  Ref not only has to play the OF, he’s the first (and only?) option to back up all three positions.
 

I could see Romy taking at bats vs LHP as a DH, but it’s far from the only thing he’s going to do.  He will take the field at some point.  With Cora at the helm, there will be ample days off for other players to ensure it.

 

I do not see who you mean by the second DH only…

[moonslav59]

29 minutes ago, notin said:

Two DH only players?

Yoshida is unlikely to see the field much, but I think everyone else will at some point.  Refsnyder is a lousy outfielder, but the Sox only have 6 outfielders on the 40 man, and to get that many, you have to count both Yoshida and Jhostnyxon Garcia.  Ref not only has to play the OF, he’s the first (and only?) option to back up all three positions.
 

I could see Romy taking at bats vs LHP as a DH, but it’s far from the only thing he’s going to do.  He will take the field at some point.  With Cora at the helm, there will be ample days off for other players to ensure it.

 

I do not see who you mean by the second DH only…

Ref & Yoshida both suck on D. Both will probably play some OF, but that should be avoided, if possible. I'd rather DH Ref vs LHPs than Romy, so that is why I labelled them DH only. There is someone ahead of them on D, at every position, including OF, as I'd prefer Romy in LF over Ref and Yoshida. To me, they are 3rd string LF'ers with the ability to play RF in away games at short RF parks.

Okay, don't call them "DH only," but the fact is, anyone playing a position over them is a plus on D. Rafaela offers a great service to Cora, and he can be moved to 2B, SS and RF, if needed, at anytime in the game. DHam looks good on D only at 2B. Grissom looks good on D, nowhere. Romy offers the second flex-utility guy, next to Rafaela, who they say they want in CF "as much as possible."

To me, it is clear that Romy offers Cora way more options than  DHam or Grissom and Yoshida or Ref.

I think that is a reason to place him on the 26 over Grissom. You don't. Okay. It's not a slam dunk choice. I'm fine with Romy beginning the year at WOO, and Grissom starting just 30% of the games at 2B,  Of course, Campbell could make all these choices moot.

[notin]

53 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Ref & Yoshida both suck on D. Both will probably play some OF, but that should be avoided, if possible. I'd rather DH Ref vs LHPs than Romy, so that is why I labelled them DH only. There is someone ahead of them on D, at every position, including OF, as I'd prefer Romy in LF over Ref and Yoshida. To me, they are 3rd string LF'ers with the ability to play RF in away games at short RF parks.

Okay, don't call them "DH only," but the fact is, anyone playing a position over them is a plus on D. Rafaela offers a great service to Cora, and he can be moved to 2B, SS and RF, if needed, at anytime in the game. DHam looks good on D only at 2B. Grissom looks good on D, nowhere. Romy offers the second flex-utility guy, next to Rafaela, who they say they want in CF "as much as possible."

To me, it is clear that Romy offers Cora way more options than  DHam or Grissom and Yoshida or Ref.

I think that is a reason to place him on the 26 over Grissom. You don't. Okay. It's not a slam dunk choice. I'm fine with Romy beginning the year at WOO, and Grissom starting just 30% of the games at 2B,  Of course, Campbell could make all these choices moot.

I think Romy has a role on the 26 man roster with their current allotment of players.  I even said he makes sense in a platoon DH role.  But he is one player very much at risk if other acquisitions or promotions happen.

K Campbell might not affect him; in retrospect, they probably demote Grissom so he can play somewhere.  Ditto Bregman, if they plan to use him at 2b.  But an OF?  And I agree adding one makes sense, I could see that pushing Romy off the roster.  With Refsnyder, Hamilton and a backup catcher (Narvaez?) all locks in my mind, Romy could be an odd man out…

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

I think Romy has a role on the 26 man roster with their current allotment of players.  I even said he makes sense in a platoon DH role.  But he is one player very much at risk if other acquisitions or promotions happen.

K Campbell might not affect him; in retrospect, they probably demote Grissom so he can play somewhere.  Ditto Bregman, if they plan to use him at 2b.  But an OF?  And I agree adding one makes sense, I could see that pushing Romy off the roster.  With Refsnyder, Hamilton and a backup catcher (Narvaez?) all locks in my mind, Romy could be an odd man out…

Why platoon Romy at DH and not Ref? You think Ref is a better LF'er than Romy?

[notin]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

Why platoon Romy at DH and not Ref? You think Ref is a better LF'er than Romy?

I don’t think either are good outfielders.  But Cora used Refsnyder in the OF much more often than Romy last year.

I also don’t think Cora will move Rafaela and Duran. Should he? I can see why he would.  I just don’t think he will…

[Randy Red Sox]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

There will still be an ump behind the plate.

Let's get consistency into the game. YES to ROBO-UMPS!

and what does that ump do--call a close play at the plate once every 5 games. Baseball has survived just fine for over 100 yrs with human umps. Maybe a challenge system on balls and strikes using the k zone with an official upstairs . Each team gets 3 challenges per 9 innings and 1 in extra innings.

[notin]

24 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

and what does that ump do--call a close play at the plate once every 5 games. Baseball has survived just fine for over 100 yrs with human umps. Maybe a challenge system on balls and strikes using the k zone with an official upstairs . Each team gets 3 challenges per 9 innings and 1 in extra innings.

And track and field (and swimming) went even longer with manually-operated stopwatches.  They don’t anymore.  Because electronic timers are better.
 

The act of calling balls and strikes is the single most difficult task for any official in any sport.  The task requires deciding whether or not a projectile traveling 100mph touched any part of an invisible box of varying size.

 

A home plate ump would still make the official call.  He is still going to make fair/foul calls on anything that hasn’t reached first or third base yet (when the base umps get jurisdiction).  He is still going to make calls or call for help on check swings.  And he is still going to call strikes on swings and misses on OOZ pitches that the system will call “balls” because the system does not involve batters.  Also the home plate ump is responsible for HBPs.

It’s not just “once every 5 games” calls.  If they eliminated umps for making calls that infrequently, would they keep the guy at 3b? How often does he make an out/safe call on a close play?

[moonslav59]

31 minutes ago, notin said:

I don’t think either are good outfielders.  But Cora used Refsnyder in the OF much more often than Romy last year.

I also don’t think Cora will move Rafaela and Duran. Should he? I can see why he would.  I just don’t think he will…

Cora had to find a way to play Ref vs LHPs, and with O'Neill missing some time and Rafaela at SS half the year, playing Ref in the OF worked. Romy never DH'd over Ref, so there is that, too.

I kinda like a Yoshida-Ref platoon at DH, but with Abreu sitting vs LHPs, and no real 4th OF;er, I can see needing someone in LF vs LHPs.

[notin]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Cora had to find a way to play Ref vs LHPs, and with O'Neill missing some time and Rafaela at SS half the year, playing Ref in the OF worked. Romy never DH'd over Ref, so there is that, too.

I kinda like a Yoshida-Ref platoon at DH, but with Abreu sitting vs LHPs, and no real 4th OF;er, I can see needing someone in LF vs LHPs.

I wouldn’t mind Yoshida/Ref at DH, but bring in Grichuk or Laureano…

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

I wouldn’t mind Yoshida/Ref at DH, but bring in Grichuk or Laureano…

I'd like to sign one of those two, but I'd also like to see Anthony.

A one year deal would be fine.

To me, signing a RHB OF'er would just further put the squeeze on the roster to oust Yoshida, even though he bats LH'd.

[notin]

9 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd like to sign one of those two, but I'd also like to see Anthony.

A one year deal would be fine.

To me, signing a RHB OF'er would just further put the squeeze on the roster to oust Yoshida, even though he bats LH'd.

Anthony works, too.  I think he’s more of a Plan B if Rafaela continues to struggle on offense…

[moonslav59]

14 minutes ago, notin said:

Anthony works, too.  I think he’s more of a Plan B if Rafaela continues to struggle on offense…

I see that OF'er signing as a platoon for Abreu more than Rafaela insurance, but yes, some of both.

Campbell could also play OF, so maybe the need is not so great.

[notin]

9 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I see that OF'er signing as a platoon for Abreu more than Rafaela insurance, but yes, some of both.

Campbell could also play OF, so maybe the need is not so great.

I’m hoping when Campbell and/or Anthony get promoted, neither is part of a platoon.  Especially Campbell…

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, notin said:

I’m hoping when Campbell and/or Anthony get promoted, neither is part of a platoon.  Especially Campbell…

I doubt they add them to the 40 & 26 for that. They both seem to have good splits, so that should not be an issue, but sometimes rookies struggle with the wrong handed pitchers.

I think Anthony as a FT'er with an Abreu-Rafaela platoon works well.

There would be no reason to platoon Campbell at 2B. If Devers gets hurt, Campbell at 3B would not platoon, or we play Grissom, Mayer or Romy at 3B and Campbell at 2B FT.

[notin]

29 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I doubt they add them to the 40 & 26 for that. They both seem to have good splits, so that should not be an issue, but sometimes rookies struggle with the wrong handed pitchers.

I think Anthony as a FT'er with an Abreu-Rafaela platoon works well.

There would be no reason to platoon Campbell at 2B. If Devers gets hurt, Campbell at 3B would not platoon, or we play Grissom, Mayer or Romy at 3B and Campbell at 2B FT.

I’d like to see both sign extensions before ST ends, and I think doing so makes them more likely to break camp in Boston…

[dgalehouse]

2 hours ago, notin said:

And track and field (and swimming) went even longer with manually-operated stopwatches.  They don’t anymore.  Because electronic timers are better.
 

The act of calling balls and strikes is the single most difficult task for any official in any sport.  The task requires deciding whether or not a projectile traveling 100mph touched any part of an invisible box of varying size.

 

A home plate ump would still make the official call.  He is still going to make fair/foul calls on anything that hasn’t reached first or third base yet (when the base umps get jurisdiction).  He is still going to make calls or call for help on check swings.  And he is still going to call strikes on swings and misses on OOZ pitches that the system will call “balls” because the system does not involve batters.  Also the home plate ump is responsible for HBPs.

It’s not just “once every 5 games” calls.  If they eliminated umps for making calls that infrequently, would they keep the guy at 3b? How often does he make an out/safe call on a close play?

I imagine that the umpire's union would not complain as long as they used the same number of umpires for the same pay , with less work, fewer responsibilities and less criticism. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, dgalehouse said:

I imagine that the umpire's union would not complain as long as they used the same number of umpires for the same pay , with less work, fewer responsibilities and less criticism. 

It would save them a lot of grief from fans over bad calls.